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Klein Tools recently sent over one of their new Tradesman Pro phone cases in XXL sizing (55474).

These days, contractors, tradesman, and pros of all kinds use their phones more and more. There are useful apps, Bluetooth-connected tools that export data or allow for customizations, and most smartphones have LED flashes that can double as flashlights. They’re also of course used for communication purposes.

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Personally, I’m not one for phone cases. I used to have belt holsters for my smaller phones and also my first smartphone (an original Droid with keyboard), and then leather sleeves for later smartphones. For my last two or three phones, I went with a simple case that wraps the back and sides.

Klein’s XXL phone case fits my Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, and the fixed-angle metal belt clip can fit belts up to 2″ wide. The case is very large and can fully protect my phone. It also has a magnetic flip closure.

The Klein Tradesman Pro phone holder is large enough that it can probably fit phones wrapped inside bulkier cases, but perhaps not the thickest of cases.

When it’s not in my hand, my phone is in my pocket. Sometimes it moves to my back pocket if I need easier access to it, or if it gets in the way.

The Klein XXL phone holder measures ~7.5″ long x 4″ wide x ~1″ at its thickest when not compressed and a phone is inserted.

Frankly, it looks comically large in my hand, but it doesn’t feel as huge when attached to the side of my belt.

The holder is made from 1680D ballistic weave and feels quite durable. The XXL size is the latest addition to the Tradesman Pro phone holder lineup, which also includes small, large, and XL sizes. The other sizes have been around for longer, and online reviews seem to be positive.

It’s not for me, but it’s good to know there are professional-looking phone holsters out there.

18 Comments

I’m good.
I’ll just wait for the Leatherman (or Gucci, ahahaha) version.
Like you I’ve always just used a fitted case. And sometimes a screen protector cover.
In spite of my joking the thing does appear nicely designed.

I use an Otterbox Defender case, which is tough enough that my phone has survived being run over by my girlfriend’s wheelchair.
I don’t work in the field anymore, but this pouch seems like it would be useful if I did. I like the idea of not having to fish around in my pockets with dirty/greasy hands.

That’s similar to my thought. I recently switched to Apple’s leather case. It’s very thin, and it slips in my pocket well (much better than my previous rubberized case), but it doesn’t provide a lot of protection. The Apple case, though, would fit inside a holster like this, so you can preserve the small form factor while gaining the extra protection of the holster.

I just picked up a Google Pixel last night to replace my Iphone 5s. I bought the Otterbox because I like the sleeve encasement but have always hated the hardshell because they break after awhile and hate going thru the motions of getting another hardcase, even if they are “free”. So something like this is of interest to me. On my iphone, I had a CLC holder which I liked, I attached a key ring/carbiner to attached to whatever, belt loop, backpack, etc, I’m interested in this Klein piece but would prefer to try it out in the store instead of buying online. I checked online an I think Home Depot has them online and I thought that I saw somewhere that they are USA made. So I’ll be watching the comments.

PS, I’m a newbie poster but have been lurking awhile. I have bought quite a bit after seeing it mentioned here, usually the Milwaukee/Ryobi cordless stuff.

I run Otterbox fitted sleeves on my phones. But then I use a horizontal turtleback belt case for carrying it around. Made in the USA. One of my employees does the pocket carry case. I’ve never seen his phone with an intact screen. He seems fine with it. Any really active job (not shop job) is going to have too much banging around for today’s large smartphones to survive in a pocket.

I have this case’s smaller brethren, the L and XL (iirc), picked up on clearance at HD. The XL fits my entry level smartphone and is great for what it is, but I just keep mine in a pocket. I really don’t care for being attached to a phone (though admittedly I’m typing this on mine).

Amazon and other vendor sell leather and ballistic nylon pouches that will fit even the largest phones with an external case attached. I have an iPhone XS with a Pitaka MagCase Pro (awesome design that I use in the car with their matching magnetic holder) and it’s really too big for back pockets or most other pockets. So I got a ballistic nylon pouch and a dressier leather one from Amazon into which I can slip the iPhone while it wears the protective case. These things come with rings for lanyards or carabiners, with all sorts of belt attachments. And they’re pretty cheap, too (the ballistic nylon case was under $9 and is extremely well built).

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